I've been watching the RSS vs nEcho debate rage back and forth, back and forth for a week or so now. For those who came in late, don't worry what Echo is, go home.

It doesn't matter.

I've been in so many arguments like this over the years. When I was helping on an IRC network, I think I got in two or three of them every week. At the time, they seem like the most important thing in the world: every minor issue is a grand, moral point you must stand up for.

They don't matter.

nEcho will happen, or it won't. RSS will survive, or it will die. nEcho will be the greatest thing since sliced bread, or it will make stupid design decisions and everyone will laugh at it. Maybe it will all be taken over by Microsoft, or even worse, end up at Sun as part of the JCP.

The net change to the world as a result of this will be unnoticeable. A couple of programmers will, or will not spend a day adding another parser to their application. Maybe we'll have another format added to the existing mass of mutually incompatible syndicication formats. We'll end up with a marginally better API for weblog posting, or a marginally worse one, but whatever it is will be ‘good enough’ for all practical purposes. We'll continue to whine about how Dave Winer Just Doesn't Get It, or we'll whine about how standards bodies always screw up good ideas when they get hold of them.

I can't see a single significant difference between a world without nEcho, and a world with it. That said, if a bunch of engineers want to create a Better Way To Do It, then more power to them: I hope they're successful, are happy making something they are proud of, and get it adopted in the wider community.

It's all just another one of those rows geeks get into without realising they're fighting over thin air. I've been fantastically guilty of this over the years, and probably will be again, so I know the signs.

None of this is worth either side expending any emotional energy over whatsoever.